Have you ever wondered why different alcoholic drinks will make you feel a different kind of drunk. Why does beer chill you out but gin makes you angry? Why does wine cause you to have deep chats but vodka makes you sad? Some will argue that there’s no logic behind this, that it’s simply the amount of alcohol within the drinks and the speed at which you metabolise them. But maybe there’s more going on here. Maybe there’s more in the science that differentiates alcoholic drinks than we think. As always, we’re going to delve into the truth and flesh it out. Let’s go.
What is Alcohol?
Alcohol – whether we like to hear it or not – is technically a drug. So don’t think you’re not taking drugs when you sip on that vodka and coke. You are. Alcohol, or ethyl alcohol, is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that can produce a range of effects on the brain and body, depending on the type of alcohol consumed and the amount consumed. Other drugs that join the depressant or downer club include ketamine or GHB. These kinds of substances are known for specific effects:
Reduced anxiety
Relaxed feelings
Slowed reaction time
Reduced inhibitions
Enhanced mood
Sound familiar? Alcohol is a psychoactive substance that is widely consumed in various forms around the world. It is produced by the fermentation of sugars or starches, which is a process that occurs when yeast or bacteria consume the sugars and produce alcohol and carbon dioxide as by-products. The alcohol content of beverages can vary greatly, with some containing only a small amount, while others have a high concentration.
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There are several types of alcohol – many will experience them all in one evening – but the most commonly consumed form is ethyl alcohol, or ethanol. Ethanol is the main active ingredient in alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, and spirits. It is responsible for the intoxicating effects that are associated with drinking alcohol.
Legality
Alcoholism causes 140,000 deaths in the US every year, yet it still remains a legal substance. On the other hand, cannabis kills essentially 0 people every year and there are still several states yet to legalize it. So why is alcohol dealt with differently to other drugs? The Conversation writes:
“The main reason why alcohol remains legal in the U.S. – despite mounting evidence of the harm it can cause – is that banning it a century ago failed… Prohibition initially helped reduce alcohol consumption. But it also bolstered the illegal liquor trade. This practice, called “bootlegging,” created new problems.”
This theory makes sense, until you consider that there is a black market for all illegal drugs. So why have substances like cocaine or ecstacy been legalized? Nonetheless, due to the fact that alcohol is illegal basically everywhere in the world, it has meant that money has been within the industry for a long time. In fact, the global market worth of the alcohol industry hit 1.45 trillion dollars in 2021. Where there is money, there is innovation, hence why there are so many different kinds of alcoholic drinks. Not only are there varying types of alcohol, but there are also hundreds of brands. It is no surprise, with all of the diverse options, that people start to wonder if one alcoholic drink can cause different effects than another. But is this just a myth?
Different Alcoholic Drinks, Different Effects
There are several theories both for and against the theory that different alcoholic drinks can cause different effects. Some believe it’s a placebo and psychological, whilst others claim there’s truth to it.
Reasons in Support
Different types of alcohol can cause different experiences due to variations in their chemical structures, metabolism, and effects on the brain and body. Ethanol, the type of alcohol commonly found in alcoholic beverages, is a simple molecule consisting of a hydroxyl group attached to a carbon atom. The molecular structure of different types of alcohols, however, can vary greatly. In addition, the way that alcohol is broken down in the system can also affect the experience it produces. The rate at which it is metabolised can vary depending on a person’s liver.
If alcohol is absorbed quicker, this could manifest itself as a different drunk experience. With less intense drinks – such as beer – we tend to drink more of it. This can be quite a dehydrating experience, needing to consume more to get drunk. This can trigger tiredness or a more relaxed feeling. Spirits, on the other hand, have a higher percentage and thus are usually drunk slower. The intensity of the higher percentage drinks can cause more energy. Suddenly, alcohol becomes a stimulant, rather than a depressant. Perhaps this is why Tequila makes you crazy but Fosters makes you sleepy?
Reasons Against
Let’s be honest here, ethanol is ethanol. Alcohol is alcohol. How can there really be different effects from different alcohols? Whilst there has been limited research into this, the mainstream school of thought is that the theory is a myth. Instead, scientists prefer to think about the idea of expectancy. Dru Jaeger writes:
“Expectancy is a psychological term for a predictable relationship between an external stimulus and our response to it. At its simplest, your expectation of what will happen can shape your experience of what happens. So what you expect to happen when you drink can change what actually happens in practice.”
A recent study of 30,000 people found that people attach different emotions to different alcohols. However, these are believed to be caused by this idea of expectancy. Throughout life we find reasons to believe that different drinks make us feel differently – this is based on certain factors. Ultimately, it’s our mindset. Like with the set and setting idea and psychedelic drugs, how we feel before drinking can dictate our experience. If we drink wine when we’re relaxed, it’ll probably make us feel more relaxed. If we drink spirits to go out, we’ll probably feel energetic. If we drink beer to chill out, we’ll probably feel sleepy. You see what’s happening here? The alcohol itself isn’t changing, but the way we feel towards it is. The Conversation writes:
“The direct effects of alcohol are the same whether you drink wine, beer or spirits. There’s no evidence that different types of alcohol cause different mood states. People aren’t even very good at recognising their mood states when they have been drinking.”
It seems that the evidence is pointing towards this theory being a myth. It’s a bit like people saying that different sweets cause different sugar highs. Of course there are foods that have more intense portions of sugar, but this doesn’t mean that it’s causing an entirely alternative experience. The mixture of varying levels of alcohol, alongside this idea of expectancy, is what gives people the impression of a different kind of drunk. With this in mind, it’s not the alcoholic drink that is different, it is us.
Final Thoughts on different alcoholic drinks
I myself have wondered at points why some alcoholic drinks do seem to give me different – let’s say – vibes. I’ve experienced feeling chill on wine and beer, but more energetic on spirits. Although, at the same time, now that I think of it, I’ve also experienced having intense arguments after a bottle of red wine. I also remember first drinking beer and feeling invincible.
It seems that it isn’t the alcohol that is changing, it’s my attitude towards it. Thus it seems that the theory has been deemed a myth, doesn’t it? Although, on the other hand, if we believe it to be true, then doesn’t that make it true? In other words, if our attitudes towards different alcoholic drinks can change how we feel they affect us, then maybe that’s enough to give a bit more credit to this theory. Who cares what’s causing it? It’s still happening, right?
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The first 3-day weekend of the year is a reason to kick back or have an adventure – and here are cocktails to accompany the ride!
The year has started with a bang and now we are rolling into the first 3 Day weekend – ending in the presidential inauguration. Skiing, hiking, travel, chilling or politics…what better way to compliment the activity than with something tasty. Here are the best cocktails for this winter 3 day weekend.
What better way to start a 3 Day weekend and Inauguration weekend then with a little indulgence in with the original sin. The drink has multiple recipes – including one iwth absinthe, but this one should be easy, tasty and a perfect way to kick off the weekend.
Ingredients
2ounces chilled champagne
1ounce brandy
Splash of triple sec
Splash of grenadine
Orange twist for garnish
Create
Combine ingredients in a brand snifter
Stir and add ice cube to chill to taste
Garnish with orange twist
The Americana Cocktail
Wha better way to celebrate Martin Luther King Day with an all American drink and a vision of a better tomorrow. This drink is tasty and potent.
Ingredients
1 sugar cube (we prefer a demerara sugar cube)
4 dashes of Angostura bitters
1 ounce bourbon
2 ounces Brut Champagne
Orange slice for garnish
Create
Coat the sugar cube well with the Angostura bitters – approximately 4 dashes
Drop the sugar cube into a chilled flute
Pour the bourbon over the sugar
Top up with the Champagne.
Garnish with an orange slice
Whiskey Smash
Why not try something different. You might not want to get smashed this weekend, but this cocktail can trace its origin back to the late 1800s. Tasty, refreshing and easy to make. Great way to delight your taste buds.
Weather skiing, hiking, road tripping or hanging out in DC – chances are the weather is going to be nippy. Why not lean into it and have this spicy frostbite to feel cozy and warm on the inside?
The new year is starting with a bang – here are some cocktails to take off the edge.
The new year is coming in hot – back to work policies, the LA fires, snowstorms and just having to work is killing the 2025 start buzz. Now drinking your problems away isn’t a good or healthy solution, but sometimes a nip of something does help. January is already known as a bit of depressing month due to the post-holiday blues, cold weather, shorter daylight hours, and the potential for increased financial stress after the holiday spree. Here are the best cocktails to get you through the week.
What better way to start the year with a semi healthy drink. The Paloma with tequila and juice is somewhat healthy. Good tequila is low calorie, low body impact coupled with a big dose of vitamin C helps make the dark days a little brighter.
Ingredients
2ouncestequila
1/2ouncelime juice, freshly squeezed
4 ounces Grapefruit soda, chilled, to top
Pinch of salt
Garnish:lime wheel
Create
Add the tequila, lime juice, and pinch of salt to the glass, and fill with ice.
Top with grapefruit soda, and stir briefly and gently to combine.
Garnish with a lime wheel.
The Spaghett
While beer drinking is down as people switch to California sober, it is still highly popular. Why now merge it with a favorite (Aperol Spritz and beer) for a refreshing and low alcohol treat? Try it, you will like it.
Ingredients
12ounceslight beer, such as Miller High Life
1ounceCampari
Create
Take a big sip of chilled beer, about 1 ounce
Pour campari into beer bottle
Enjoy
Cucumber Cleanse
While friends talk about Dry January, Damp January, winter arc, and more – you can brag you are doing a cleanse. The lemon and cayenne juice cleanse is popular, you are just adding a lpersonal twist so it fits into happy hour or a tailgate. For the ginger syrup add 4 oz peeled while making simply syrup ginger and let it steep for 30 minutes. Strain and use.
2 ounces Absolut vodka
3/4 ounce fresh cucumber juice
1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/4 ounce ginger syrup
1/4 ounce honey
1 egg white
Dash of ground cayenne
Create
Add all ingredients into a shaker and dry-shake (without ice) until frothy
Like the actress, the Shirley Temple cocktail was sweet, wholesome and popular. But why not have the adult version of the beverage to start the year out breaking the norms?
Once seen only in black and white movies, sherry has now become a star in the craft cocktail scene.
Once seen only in black and white movies, sherry is becoming a thing again. From the fortified wine from Spain’s Jerez region, it is experiencing a renaissance in North America, particularly among younger consumers and wine enthusiasts. This resurgence is reshaping the perception of sherry and driving growth in the market.
The traditional image of sherry as a drink for older generations is rapidly changing. Young people in the US are increasingly embracing sherry, with consumption on the rise. This shift is particularly evident in the on-trade sector, where sherry’s popularity is growing in tandem with the increasing number of tapas bars and improved knowledge among sommeliers and restaurateurs.
The sherry wine market is showing promising signs of growth. Projections indicate a growth rate of 10.2% from 2025 to 2030. This growth is attributed to various factors, including the increasing popularity of sherry as an accompaniment to meals and its perceived health benefits.
While sweet sherries have long dominated the US market, there’s a growing interest in dry styles among younger consumers. This trend is part of a broader shift in consumption patterns, with drinkers becoming more adventurous and seeking out diverse flavor profiles. The movement towards dry sherries is seen as a positive development for the category’s long-term prospects.
Sherry’s versatility in food pairing is attracting attention from sommeliers and food enthusiasts. Plus, with the continued raise of craft beverage, sherry has been a rising star in cocktail scene, introducing it to a new audience of mixology enthusiasts.
The perceived health benefits of sherry is also buzzing as Gen Z and younger Millennials are switching to less harmful products. This gave rise to the California Sober movement. Sherry contains antioxidants called polyphenols that may help control cholesterol levels. Polyphenols may prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is associated with heart disease. Sherry may also increase the body’s production of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which is associated with longevity and a decreased risk of coronary artery disease.
If you want to try sherry, here are some tips. The correct way depends on the type: dry sherries like Fino and Manzanilla should be served chilled in a small glass, while sweeter sherries like Pedro Ximénez can be enjoyed at room temperature or slightly warmed;generally, a white wine glass is preferred to fully appreciate the flavors, and it’s best to serve sherry with food, particularly tapas for drier styles and richer dishes for sweeter options.
Chef Justin Khanna has worked in some of the top restaurants in the world and keeps his fingers are trends shared “Enjoying a well-made Sherry with food feels like spending time with most interesting person at a party. The versatility too makes it a stand-out as an ingredient in a cocktail, featured as part of a wine pairing in a tasting menu, or simply sipped over ice at the start of a meal. It’s high time that Sherry gets a rise in popularity, especially without the hefty price tag of other spirits.”